Heartbroken Kate Garraway was supported by family, friends and colleagues at the funeral of husband Derek Draper last week
WORDS: MITYA UNDERWOOD PHOTOS: JONATHAN BRADY/PA WIRE, STEPHEN LOCK/
IN LOVING MEMORY
Almost four years after Covid first wreaked havoc on the health and life of Derek Draper, husband of Kate Garraway, he was laid to rest in an emotional church ceremony last week.
The former political lobbyist, 56, endured an agonising battle with the debilitating and devastating complications of the virus, but sadly passed away on 3 January.
Devoted Kate, also 56, and their children Darcey, 17, and William, 14, remained close by his side until the end, spending Christmas together in hospital after he was readmitted following a heart attack in early December.
A month after Kate announced the death of her “darling husband”, she and their children gathered at the north London church – where Kate and Derek were married in September 2005 – to say their final goodbyes.
A visibly tearful Kate watched as Darcey bravely took her place alongside the other pallbearers to carry her father’s coffin into the church. Kate, dressed in a long black coat and pearl necklace, stood clutching her son William’s hand and embraced grieving well-wishers, as Derek’s coffin, adorned with lilac, cream and green flowers, made its journey into the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill.
Inside, the pews were filled with close family, friends and colleagues of the couple, including Kate’s Good Morning Britain co-hosts Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins.
GMB’s weather presenters Alex Beresford and Laura Tobin were also at the service.
Presenter Fiona Phillips, who announced her devastating Alzheimer’s diagnosis last year, made a rare public appearance, walking hand in hand to the church with her This Morning editor husband Martin Frizell.
Kate’s Smooth Radio relief presenter Myleene Klass also attended, with a sombre-looking Sir Elton J
